Naruto: Kage of Kages

“They really have nothing to complain about.” Shiki declared.

Everyone raised their eyebrows though it was not noticeable in Shinka due to her large goggles.

“How so?” Mei frowned with a question.

“Simple, the villages there enjoy timely and continuous protection, stronger and more dangerous bandits avoid them and Konoha likely does not charge much since the bandits are always weak, not very organized and not that numerous either in all probability.” The boy replied.

With a surprised expression, Mei quickly realized the truth in his words while Inori smiled with an expression that told she long expected such a degree of insight from him, it was not a really complicated matter after all, the young Uchiha was just a bit inexperienced.

In time, Mei would have figured it out herself with minimal to no guidance. It was Shinka who got a reality check for underestimating the considerations being had in the situation but her mindset remained the same.

As a Root trained kunoichi, there were certain habits and preconceptions that were just too ingrained to easily let go of.

Needlessly ruthless, not considering the big picture and far too focused on following orders rather than thinking.

They also seem to have been ingrained with the ideology that they are what true shinobi are supposed to be and thus feel themselves superior to their peers, at least in terms of mentality.

The dismissal of low to mid status civilians and their intelligence is also one of their bad habits. Danzo’s plans, while ruthless, could benefit the village but his preconceptions, bias and lack of regard for the bigger picture, often resulted in catastrophe at the most important steps.

Back to the scene, Inori shared more specific details regarding the mission.

“The number of enemies should only be around 30, no enemy shinobi. The reports say so but never assume too much, information gathering for these kinds of missions tends not to be very thorough.”

“The purpose of this mission is to test your capabilities and resolve, to get you your first taste of blood.” Inori continued with a graver, more serious tone.

But the three genin remained cold and calm. 

A Root trained kunoichi, Shinka had long gotten blooded and likely had killed not few, Mei was trained by one of the most warlike clans in the shinobi world, famed for their battlefield prowess and enjoyment of combat. As for Shiki . . .

The thought of murder felt far too natural . . .

His previous life’s sensibilities should not have let this occur and while his enlightenment was supposed to come with a degree of detachment, the boy could no longer attribute this feeling inside him he could not name to that.

‘Maybe this will be a chance to learn more about this feeling . . .’ Shiki hoped.

It was not bloodthirst, he did not want to kill, he simply felt it as a natural action, something he should do, something intrinsic to him.

So natural it required no thought and inspired no feeling.

The more he focused on it, the more the boy thought of its wrongness and how those thoughts ran contrary to his feeling of rightness.

‘Whatever, it should make things easier for the mission. I’ll worry about the consequences later.’ Shiki thought.

Unfortunately, the consequences would be arriving far sooner than he expected, though maybe they would come at the most opportune of times . . .

Despite his wandering thoughts, Shiki showed nothing on his face and still listened to Inori’s instructions.

“Pack up for at least a three day trip, we leave tomorrow at six o’clock.” The blonde jonin commanded.

“And Shiki, no extra D rank missions this time, no shadow clones going around doing stuff either. I want you at your best. Understand?” She warned the boy in particular since he was the only one who might do such foolish energy wasting things right before an important mission.

‘Suspicious.’ Shiki thought.

Outwardly, he nodded and showed he took his sensei’s words seriously but inside, he could not help feeling something was off.

‘While paranoia is a problem of mine, my intuition regarding suspicious activity is usually on point . . .’ The white haired boy pondered but could not reach a conclusion.

So did he dismiss the concern as an erroneous thought or a figment of imagination like some stupid protagonist?

No.

Did he endeavour to make preparations and be cautious during the mission like a less stupid protagonist.

Yes! But he would not stop at that.

When something feels off and you don’t know what, you take up your concerns with a reliable and more experienced elder.

And so Shiki immediately went to consult Mito upon his return home.

*

“So you just have a gut feeling?” Tsunade who was home and brought into the conversation by Mito questioned.

She knew a shinobi’s intuition was a powerful thing but it usually came from experience in battle, the gut feelings of someone like Shiki who had never even seen real battle should not be something to rely upon.

“Are you sure it’s not just the nerves getting to you?” The Senju princess continued to enquire while her grandmother silently pondered.

Shiki just gave Tsunade the most deadpan of looks he could manage.

“Right. I didn’t think you were the type to get jitters anyway.” The curvy blonde shrugged, making her breasts hypnotically shuffle.

“So what exactly triggered warnings in your mind?” Mito broke her silence and asked.

“It was sensei’s last words before we all went home, the emphasis that she wanted me at my absolute best.” Shiki explained.

“Forget about non chakra wielding bandits, I could wipe the floor with most chunin while half asleep and missing two thirds of my chakra.”

“Inori-sensei may not know what I can do exactly but with her relentless probing, she should be very aware that my limits are much higher than I let on.”

“With her ability to read people, she must also know that I always keep my condition above a certain level just to be safe, at least when I’m not home.”

“Sensei has even called me out on it, she figured it out during team training by analyzing my results and general state afterwards. The way she spoke then was accusing me of slacking off overtly while calling out my excessive caution/paranoia in between the lines.”

Shiki concluded his piece on the source of his concerns.

“Knowing that, I get that what Inori-san said might sound a bit off but it seems to be just standard sensei talk and making sure you’re at your best for your first C rank mission.” Tsunade reasonably proposed.

Shiki nodded.

“I think so too but I just feel there is something fishy going on.” The boy said.

The Senju princess understood, that kind of thing happened and with a brat as perceptive as Shiki, there was always the possibility that he was subconsciously making connections and sensing danger despite his consciousness missing the details.

“Well, there is a very simple solution for all of this.” Mito, who had been mostly quiet throughout the whole conversation, interjected once more.

Shiki and Tsunade turned towards her to listen.

“We simply have someone follow you in secret just in case.” The Uzumaki matriarch suggested.

There was absolutely no issue in wasting one or two of their subordinate jonin’s time in order to guarantee the safety of a rising talent amongst them like Shiki was.

“But how are we going to get around sensei’s sensory abilities that Mito-sama yourself, praised so much?” The boy inquired.

“I can produce Chakra Cloaking Tags to hide your hidden protectors.” The Uzumaki matriarch replied, further highlighting the wonders of fuinjutsu.

“Okay, thank you very much for the vote of confidence in my instinct, Mito-sama.” Shiki showed his gratitude with a bow.

“More like we have the resources to waste in order to assuage a little brat’s possibly fictitious concerns.” Tsunade piped up from the side.

“And this is why angering you is one of my favorite pastimes.” The boy piped back with a monotone voice.

The Senju princess felt her face cramp, cursing her big mouth for earning her months of act of petty vengeance for the offhand comment she just made . . .

+++++

Hey, Author here!

Just a reminder that you can read up to a FULL MONTH ahead of this site on pa-treon.

I’m trying to become a full time Author now and I’m not going to be starting any new novels just so I can make sure this one is properly completed.

Find those sweet advanced chapters on pa-treon.com/lusoba without the -